The closure, an enhanced version of Presto’s market-leading Slide-Rite slider, represents the first child-resistant slider available for application on pouch packaging that meets Title 16 CFR 1700 of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) with ASTM D3475 classification from ASTM International (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials).

 

Child-Guard offers consumers the child security they desire combined with a minimal learning curve when it comes to operation. The slider opens with an easy “point, press and pull” motion. Users align the slider tongue with the groove, press down lightly on the slider’s top side and pull the slider across the zipper track for a smooth opening experience. Adult consumers, including seniors, will find the zipper simple to open, but it will be extremely challenging for children aged five and under.

 

“Just three years ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received more than 1.12 million calls involving poison exposure for children under six years-old,” says Brad Hansen, president of Presto Specialty Group, Presto Products Co. “We knew there was a void in the flexible packaging category for a child-resistant zipper and committed ourselves to develop a solution that would satisfy this critical market need.”

 

The launch of Child-Guard technology allows brand owners to leverage flexible packaging as a format and still meet child-resistant mandates. By choosing flexible packaging, which is lighter-weight and more compact than rigid alternatives, brand owners can achieve both environmental and cost-saving benefits across the supply chain.

 

Child-Guard is ideal for a number of applications, including home care, chemical, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and any other granules, powders and solid mixes that should not be consumed by children or taken without adult supervision. The combination of Child-Guard with the barrier protection of flexible packaging is also well suited for medicinal marijuana food products since they require child-resistant packaging and need to stay fresh for extended periods of time. Until the launch of Child-Guard, flexible packaging was not an option for this type of product category where regulations mandate child-resistance for reclosable packaging, limiting manufacturers’ options to rigid formats.

 

Child-Guard is designed to integrate with popular Slide-Rite application equipment requiring zero or minimal adjustments and enabling brand owners to minimize downtime during the transition. Presto also provides extensive service and support, which includes planning and coordination with machinery and materials suppliers, on-site trouble-shooting and collaborative testing.

 

 

Presto Products Co.

(800) 558-3525

www.prestoproducts.com